Re: Deviated septum

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

I haven't been on the listserve for awhile (moving back to the US from

overseas soon), but just read these two about Jake and noticed that we sort

of have the same issues with Tyler, age 6.

Tyler has a TERRIBLE deviated septum - can't breathe at all from one

nostril. He wakes up a few times a week at night crying b/c he can't

breathe properly (if he's got a cold, it's really bad). The doctor said we

alternate breathing from one side to the other, so his sleep patterns are

broken throughout the night.

I feel so sorry for him having this problem on top of everything else. I

didn't think it was related to being SGA, but maybe it is. The doctor told

us he could have surgery when he was about 9 to partially correct it and

then do final surgery when he's 16, but he really advised us against doing

anything before age 16. He said if you try to correct it while they're

still growing, there's a risk of the nose partially collapsing which they

could never fix. We're planning just to wait until he's 16 and hope that he

can learn to adapt to the problem as he gets older.

The only thing that we're able to do at this point is use natural saline

solution to keep the good side clear. We only use the medicated nasal spray

for a few days if he's got very bad sinuses - it's not good to use that too

many days in a row. But we can use the water and salt mixture without

worrying. BTW - the doctor was very surprised that Tyler was a C-section

birth b/c he said it often happens through delivery. Tyler never had an

injury. Dr H didn't know what might be the cause. Did the doctor say

anything else to help you with Jake?

I also read your message about Jake's socialization. It's a really good

idea to look into Asberger's syndrome. We had a lot of the same concerns

about Tyler, especially a few years ago, and he was seen by a few people.

We've pretty much ruled everything out and think it comes down to social

immaturity - he just seems to be about 6-9 months behind the other kids in

his socialization skills, which means that he's not quite on the same level.

He is very happy at school, gets along well with the kids and does have

friends, but he seems to relate to the kids who are in the grade below as

peers and " look up " (not literally!) to the kids his own age. We're going

to have to see where he fits in peer-wise when we move back to America -

we've got him set to start first grade in August while his brother starts

kindergarten. I liked your comment about the trains - Tyler has a similar

interest in planes and will talk about them for ages. I would be very

interested to hear what the doctors say with regards to Jake's

socialization. Have you ever seen Dr H and talked with her about this?

> Message: 11

> Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 01:38:25 -0000

>

> Subject: Socialization, deviated septum

>

> I have not posted in a very long time. A few things have been going

> on with Jake lately that are concerning us. He is 5 years old and

> getting ready to begin kindergarten in the fall. We are having

> serious concerns about him being able to adapt to a full size general

> ed class. He will still have an IEP for OT, PT and some behav.

> concerns. He is just finishing up his third year in a sp. ed.

> preschool program. While his cognitive abilities are fine, he has

> trouble with staying focused and on task. We have suspected ADD for a

> while and go back to a new neurologist to reopen the subject next

> month. In the meantime his preschool teacher suggested some

> socialization therapy. He is a very social child, but seems more

> comfortable with adults instead of kids. He still parallel plays.

> Other kids sort of don't " get him " as he is obsessed with trains and

> only really wants to speak about them. It is almost like other

> " normal " kids don't really take him seriously. It breaks my heart.

> It is hard for me to really type exactly what I mean here, other than

> something is off. He is also very poor at making eye contact. When

> we " force " him to look us in the eye, it is though it is painful for

> him. I began to call some places that offer socialization therapy and

> after getting into a conversation with one of the therapist, she asked

> if we have ever looked into Asberger's Sydrome. Of course, it was

> only a short conversation and by no means was she diagnosing him she

> just wanted to throw it out there. So of course I began to research

> it and Jake does seem to display some of the symptoms.

>

> Anyone out there with similar concerns or opinions???

>

> Alison (Jake, 5, RSS, gh, g-tube zantac, periactin, zyrtec)

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________________________________________________

> ________________________________________________________________________

>

> Message: 12

> Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 01:42:45 -0000

>

> Subject: Deviated Septum

>

> I forgot to ask my deviated septum question in my last post. Last

> week Jake went to the ENT to discuss possible fluid in his ears. Upon

> examing him he discovered has a very severely deviated septum. He

> asked if he had ever had an injury to his nose. I said no. He was

> suprised, since apparently this the usual cause for having it. Then I

> asked if it was a possible birth defect since he has other facial

> anomolies related to RSS. Has anyone else's RSS child have an

> unexplained deviated septum?

>

> Alison (Jake, 5, RSS, gh, g-tube, periactin, zantac, zyrtec)

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your post. We got very similar advice regarding surgery

for Jake for his septum. We were told to wait until he is about 15

for surgery. We go tomorrow for a second opinion and for advice on

how to make things more comfortable for him. He is really all clogged

up right now.

Regarding Dr. H, yes we do see her. We travel up from the DC area

every three months (for the past four years). She agreed that he

seems to have attention issues and we discussed ADD. We go again next

month and by then we will have seen the neurologist and hopefully can

discuss his findings.

Thanks,

Alison